Skin
and Bones
“No! Wait!" you hear
them call. You feel as though your heart is about to burst out of
you chest. Pure terror. You've never felt anything so
horrific before. The trees are low, moss hanging from branches.
Darkness blinds your vision, causing you to trip as you sprint
away. You have no idea where you're going. All you know is
that you're running away.
"Robin!" the one calls. Dane. There's a chill down
you spine. Your toes are going numb. You dare to look back, and
there you tumble. Down you fall into the wet grass, but you
don't dare stop. You get back up and begin running once
again.
Thistles of bushes scrape your skin. Your throat burns.
You're not fit for this. You weren't built for this.
"Robin, wait! We can explain!" It's Dane! He's
right behind you!
His hand reaches out, grabbing your arm, and you fall together.
You struggle to break free, but he's pinned you down.
You're underneath him, and he's holding your wrists down.
Why is this familiar? His eyes are full of worry, and you finally
stop struggling.
"Please..." he staggers. "Stop. Calm down. You
don't have to be afraid of us. You don't have to be
afraid of me."
Something clicks. You stare up at him and slowly begin to close
your eyes. You begin to violently cough from the chase.
"Water," Dane says nodding. "You need water.
Jana!"
The bratty girl comes to his side with a small pouch. She's
breathing hard as well. "Don't give her too much.
We're all thirsty here."
Dane doesn't acknowledge her. He lifts the cap to your lips,
and you drink feverishly until he pulls it away. You ask again.
"Where am I?"
'There's a lot to talk about," he mumbles. Finally,
he stands and helps you up. Everyone else has caught up, but no
one speaks. They all wait for Dane, who sighs. "We don't
exactly know where we are. We're in the Woodland, and
that's all we know. We've been here for three years now,
surviving on our own."
"That doesn't explain why I'm here," you say
harshly. He flinches.
"No, it doesn't. We're desperate here. We all
appeared here together, not knowing anything. We felt scared like
you were just now, but we discovered that there was a lot more to
the Woodland."
"Dane," the blonde girl warns. He looks back at her,
and she shakes her head. "Not now."
"Why not? She wants to know where she is."
"That doesn't mean you throw it all in her
face!"
"Calm down, Annick," he growls.
"No, she's right," Jana says. She looks at you and
scowls. "Let's just settle down for the night. We'll
talk about things in a little while. I think we all need a
breather."
"Jana," Dane warns.
"Shut up, Dane!" she yells, whirling to him.
"Can't you see she's scared for her life? Have some
sympathey, d*mmit."
They all begin to walk away solemnly, and Annick comes to take
your hand. "I'm sorry you're scared. But you can
trust us. I won't let any harm come to you."
She's so small and vulnerable looking. You don't quite
trust any of them yet, but you take her small, intricate hand as
she leads you behind the rest of them, into the unknown.
____________________________________
Here's the next part of
'Skin and Bones!'
Sorry for not writing in so long.
I've been so caught up in a lot of stuff.
I hope to get back to writing now that things are
beginning to calm down.
So let me know what you think